Apparatus and process for packaging products

ABSTRACT

A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The upper tool is movable, upon action of a movement device with flat kinematic system, between a first position in which it picks up a film portion from a supplying station and a second position in which it fixes the film portion on a support housed by a lower tool.

FIELD OF THE FINDING

The object of the present invention is an apparatus and a relative process for packaging products. In particular, the finding refers to apparatuses and processes using a base support or tray, intended to house at least one product, and at least one plastic film, intended to be coupled with the base support in order to enclose the product itself in a package. The finding can have application in vacuum packaging or in controlled atmosphere packaging of products of various type.

STATE OF THE ART

In the packaging field, apparatuses and relative methods are known for the packaging—vacuum or in controlled atmosphere—of products such as meat, fish, cheeses, prepared meals and other similar foods. The vacuum packaging process—also termed vacuum skin packaging (VSP)—is essentially a thermoforming process which provides for arranging a product (e.g. a food product) within or above a rigid or semi-rigid support, for example defined by a flat tray, or by a tub or by a cup. The support and the relative product are arranged within a vacuum chamber; within the chamber, a thermoplastic film is welded to an upper edge of the support and then the air present in the package is extracted so that the thermoplastic film can adhere to the product arranged inside the support.

The process of packaging in controlled atmosphere or modified atmosphere—also termed modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)—instead provides for, before the hermetic closure of the support by means of a plastic film, the evacuation of the air present between the support and the plastic film and the subsequent injection of a mixture of gas with controlled composition.

Sophisticated apparatuses and processes were conceived and developed for automatically transferring a plurality of supports into a packaging apparatus where a plastic film portion is adhered to the supports on which the products have been loaded, in order to quickly obtain a certain number of packaged products. For example, such type of known apparatuses and processes is described in the following patent application WO 2014/166940 A1.

Even if the abovementioned known solutions allow efficiently forming high-quality packaged products and allow a high productivity, some of the apparatuses described in the abovementioned applications have a complex structure and non-negligible dimensions; such known apparatuses thus require considerable investments of capital and the availability of large spaces for the installation thereof. In addition, apparatuses with a high degree of automation can be subjected to reliability problems and require periodic maintenance works since the failure of even only one component can compromise the proper operation of the apparatus, causing the complete machine stoppage thereof and the need for intervention by highly qualified technical personnel.

Additionally, it should be indicated that the large-size automated packaging apparatuses generally have poor flexibility of use: such apparatuses cannot be easily adapted to small production batches and to packaging of products on supports of different geometries. Finally, the described apparatuses are often complex to use, requiring also in this case highly qualified personnel for their setting and implementation.

A further known type of apparatus for vacuum packaging products is described in the patent applications No. WO 2014/060507 A1 and No. WO 2011/012652 A1. The apparatus comprises a packaging station configured for receiving a support bearing a product and a plastic closure film for defining packages.

The packaging station comprises an upper tool provided with two heads placed at 90° with respect to each other; in detail, each head is placed at the end of a support arm: the support arms of the heads are joined together at opposite ends to the ends bearing the respective heads in order to form a substantially L-shaped supporting frame. The supporting frame is configured for rotating by 180°—around an axis intersecting at 45° the joining section of the support arms—between a pick-up position of the closure film and a position of heat-sealing the film on the support. The L-shaped configuration of the supporting frame bearing the two sealing heads allows the upper tool of the packaging station to simultaneously execute a packaging step by means of one head and a step for picking up the film by means of the other sealing head.

Even if the apparatus described in the patent applications No. WO 2014/060507 A1 and No. WO 2011/012652 A1 allows efficiently forming high-quality packaged products and allows high productivity, such apparatus has a complex structure and non-negligible dimensions, in particular generated by the articulated structure of the upper tool and by the movement of the latter during the movement of the two heads from the packaging position to the pick-up position. In addition, such apparatus also requires a high degree of automation, with the consequent above-described problems.

Additionally, known from the patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,909 A is a packaging apparatus that provides for closing containers by means of the application of a film and a rigid lid. The apparatus comprises a conveyor configured for moving a plurality of containers bearing a product through a packaging station. The packaging station comprises a rotary drum having hexagonal shape, six sealing heads. Each head is configured for rotating in different operating positions and picking up a rigid lid and a closure film from respective feeding stations. Once the lid and closure film have been picked up, each sealing head is configured for rotating in a packaging position and applying the picked-up elements (rigid lid and film) to the container in order to define a closed package containing a product. Each head, in addition to rotating together with the drum, is to-and-fro movable by means of a dedicated actuator, along a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the drum.

Also the apparatus of the patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,909 A has a complex structure and non-negligible dimensions, in particular generated by the articulated structure and movement of the rotary drum bearing the six sealing heads. In addition, such apparatus also requires a high degree of automation, with the consequent above-described problems.

Object of the Finding

Object of the present invention is therefore that of substantially resolving at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations of the preceding solutions.

A first objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and, consequently, a process for packaging characterized by an extreme simplicity so as to reduce the investments for implementing the same. A further objective of the finding is to provide an apparatus and relative process for packaging which are easily usable substantially by any user. In addition, one object of the finding is that of providing an apparatus and relative process for packaging which allow quickly making packaged products, in particular vacuum or under controlled atmosphere.

Another object of the present invention is that of providing an apparatus and a process for packaging capable of operating in a highly reliable manner, reducing to a minimum the possible maintenance works.

These objects and still others, which will be clearer from the following description, are substantially attained by an apparatus and a process for packaging in accordance with that expressed in one or more of the enclosed claims and/or of the following aspects, taken separately or in any one combination with each other or in combination with any one of the enclosed claims and/or in combination with any one of the further aspects or characteristics described hereinbelow.

SUMMARY

In a 1st aspect, an apparatus (1) is provided for packaging at least one product (P) arranged on a support (4), said packaging apparatus (1) comprising:

-   -   a supporting frame (3),     -   a supplying station (5) of a film (5 b), optionally a plastic         film, borne by said frame (3) and configured for arranging at         least one portion (5 a) of said film (5 b) at a predetermined         pick-up position,     -   at least one lower tool (2) engaged with the frame (3) and         configured for receiving one or more supports (4),     -   at least one upper tool (6) engaged with the frame (3) and         cooperating with the lower tool (2) for engaging said film         portion (5 a) with at least one support (4) and making at least         one package (40),     -   a movement device (69) interposed between the frame (3) and the         upper tool, wherein the movement device (69) is configured for         moving the upper tool (6) between:         -   a first position, in which an active surface (6 a) of the             upper tool (6) is next to the film portion (5 a) in said             predetermined pick-up position and is arranged to receive             the same film portion from the supplying station (5), and         -   a second position, in which the active surface (6 a) of the             upper tool (6) is aligned with and next to the lower tool             (2) for engaging said film portion (5 a) with at least one             support (4) and making at least one package (40).

In a 2nd aspect in accordance with 1st aspect the movement device (69) is configured for moving the upper tool (6) such that the points of said active surface (6 a), in the movement of the upper tool (6) between the first and the second position, are moved on respective planes that are parallel to each other.

In a 3rd aspect in accordance with 1st or 2nd aspect the movement device (69) is configured for moving the upper tool (6) such that the points of said active surface (6 a), in the movement of the upper tool (6) between the first and the second position, are moved on respective vertical planes that are parallel to each other.

In a 4th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device (69) comprises, optionally is constituted by, a flat kinematic chain.

In a 5th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device (69) is constrained to the frame (3) so as to have only one degree of freedom with respect to the frame (3) itself.

In a 6th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device (69) comprises a driving member (71) configured for rotating around a first rotation axis (A) orthogonal to said parallel planes.

In a 7th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the movement device (69) comprises a driven member (72) having a terminal portion hinged to the driving member (71) and a second terminal portion fixed to the upper tool (6).

In an 8th aspect in accordance with the aspect 6 or 7, the movement device (69) further comprises a first flat hinge (73 a) constrained to the frame (3), in which the driving member (71) is engaged with the first flat hinge for rotating around the first rotation axis (A), optionally in which the latter is defined by said first flat hinge (73 a) and orthogonal to said parallel planes.

In a 9th aspect in accordance with the aspect 6 or 7 or 8, the movement device (69) further comprises a second flat hinge (73 b), in which the driven member (72) has:

-   -   a first terminal portion, hinged to the driving member (71) by         means of said second flat hinge (73 b) interposed between driven         member and driving member, and     -   a second terminal portion, fixed to the upper tool (6).

In a 10th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from 6 to 9, the movement device (69) comprises a guiding member (73 c) engaged via rotation around a second rotation axis (B) parallel to said first rotation axis (A).

In an 11th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, said guiding member (73 c) slidably receives a third portion of the driven member (72) intermediate between said first and said second terminal portion of the same driven member.

In a 12th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from 8 to 11, the driving member (71) has the shape of a rod whose opposite ends are respectively engaged with the first and with the second flat hinge (73 a, 73 b).

In a 13th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from 8 to 12, the driven member (72) has the shape of a rod having opposite ends respectively engaged with the second flat hinge (73 b) and with the upper tool (6).

In a 14th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects 10 to 13, the guiding member (73 c) is a sleeve rotatable with respect to the frame (3), the interior thereof slidably receiving an intermediate portion of said driven member (72).

In a 15th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from 8 to 14, the driving member (71), the driven member (72), the first flat hinge (73 a), the second flat hinge (73 b) and the guiding member (73 c) are configured so that, following a rotation of the driving member (71) around the axis (A), there is overall a movement of the driven member (72) comprising a rotation of the driven member (72) with simultaneous sliding of the same driven member relative to the guiding member (73 c).

In a 16th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, said movement of the driven member includes a first step in which the driven member (72) rotates and slides within the guiding member, causing a rotation and a departure of the upper tool (6) from an abutment plate (74) for the film (5 b).

In a 17th aspect in accordance with the 15th or 16th aspect, said movement of the driven member includes a second step in which the driven member (72) continues its rotation, causing the approach of the upper tool (6) to the guiding member (73 c).

In an 18th aspect in accordance with the 15th or 16th or 17th aspect, said movement of the driven member includes a third step in which the driven member (72) completes its rotation and simultaneously slides in sense opposite the second step, with respect to the guiding member, in order to move the upper tool (69) away from the same guiding member, bringing the upper tool next to the lower tool (2).

In a 19th aspect in accordance with any one preceding aspect, the apparatus comprises at least one actuator member (70), optionally an electric motor or a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor, active on the movement device (69) and commandable for selectively moving the upper tool (6) from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.

In a 20th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the actuator member (70) is active on the driving member (71) and commands the latter in rotation around said first rotation axis (A).

In a 21st aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the movement device (69) is configured for moving the upper tool (6) between the first and the second position along a predetermined trajectory lying, in use condition of the apparatus, along a vertical plane.

In a 22nd aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect in which the driving member (71) of the movement device is configured for rotating around a first rotation axis (A) orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool.

In a 23rd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 19th to the 22nd the apparatus comprises a single actuator member (70) active on the movement device (69).

In a 24th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 21st to the 23rd the apparatus comprises a single upper tool (6) movable along said predetermined trajectory, in use condition of the apparatus lying along a vertical plane.

In a 25th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the upper tool is movable at least between:

-   -   the first and the second position in order to define an outward         stroke of the upper tool;     -   the second and the first position in order to define a return         stroke of the upper tool.

In a 26th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the movement device (69), in particular the actuator, is configured for moving the upper tool along the outward and return stroke.

In a 27th aspect in accordance with any one preceding aspect, the supplying station (5) of the plastic film (5 b) comprises an abutment plate (74) configured for defining an abutment surface (74 a) of the portion (5 a) of said film (5 b) at the predetermined pick-up position.

In a 28th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the abutment surface (74 a) of the abutment plate (74) is substantially flat and arranged on a vertical plane.

In a 29th aspect in accordance with the aspect 27th or 28th, the movement device is configured so that when the upper tool (6) is in said first position, the active surface (6 a) of the upper tool is arranged, in use conditions of the apparatus, according to a vertical plane parallel to the abutment surface (74 a) of the abutment plate (74).

In a 30th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device is configured so that when the upper tool (6) is in said second position, the active surface (6 a) of the upper tool is arranged, in use conditions of the apparatus, according to a horizontal plane.

In a 31st aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device (69), in use conditions of the apparatus, is configured for vertically arranging the driving member (71) and horizontally arranging the driven member (72), with the upper tool (6) in said first position.

In a 32nd aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device (69), in use conditions of the apparatus, is configured for horizontally arranging the driving member (71) and vertically arranging the driven member (72), with the upper tool (6) in said second position.

In a 33rd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 1st to the 5th the movement device (69) is configured for moving the upper tool (6) between the first and the second position along a predetermined trajectory lying, in use condition of the apparatus, along a vertical plane.

In a 34th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 1st to the 5th or with the aspect 33rd the movement device comprises a first and a second flat kinematic chain (83, 93) both engaged, on one side, with the frame (3) and, on the other side, with the upper tool (6).

In a 35th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect said first and second flat kinematic chain (83, 93) are separate and spaced from each other with respect to an axis that is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool (6).

In a 36th aspect in accordance with the 34th or 35th aspect the first flat kinematic chain (83) comprises:

-   -   a first lever (84) configured for rotating around a first         rotation axis (A1) orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the         predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool (6);     -   a second lever (85) having a terminal portion hinged to the         first lever (84) and a second terminal portion hinged to the         upper tool (6);

and in which said second flat kinematic chain (93) comprises:

-   -   a respective first lever (94) configured for rotating around a         second rotation axis (A2) orthogonal to the vertical lying plane         of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool (6);     -   a respective second lever (95) having a terminal portion hinged         to the first lever (94) of the second kinematic chain and a         second terminal portion hinged to the upper tool (6).

In a 37th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the first kinematic chain (83) of the movement device (69) comprises:

-   -   a first flat hinge (83 a) constrained to the frame (3), in which         the first lever (84) of the first flat kinematic chain is         engaged with the first flat hinge (83 a) for rotating around the         first rotation axis (A1);     -   a second flat hinge (83 b), in which the second lever (85) of         the first flat kinematic chain has:         -   a first terminal portion (85′), hinged to the first lever             (84) by means of said second flat hinge (83 b) interposed             between first and second lever, and         -   a second terminal portion (85″), constrained to the upper             tool (6) by means of a third flat hinge (83 c).

In a 38th aspect in accordance with the 36th or 37th aspect the second kinematic chain (93) of the movement device (69) comprises:

-   -   a first flat hinge (93 a) constrained to the frame (3), in which         the first lever (94) of the second flat kinematic chain is         engaged with said first flat hinge (93 a) for rotating around         the second rotation axis (A2);     -   a second flat hinge (93 b), in which the second lever (95) of         the second flat kinematic chain has:         -   a first terminal portion (95′), hinged to said first lever             (94) by means of said second flat hinge (93 b) interposed             between first and second lever (94, 95) of the second flat             kinematic chain, and         -   a second terminal portion (95″), constrained to the upper             tool (6) by means of a third flat hinge (93 c).

In a 39th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 36th to the 38th the first rotation axis (A1) of the first flat kinematic chain (83) coincides with the second rotation axis (A2) of the second flat kinematic chain (93).

In a 40th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 36th to the 39th the first and the second flat kinematic chain are arranged, with respect to the upper tool (6), symmetric to each other with respect to a plane passing through the first and second rotation axis and placed orthogonally with respect to the lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool (6).

In a 41st aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 36th to the 40th the second lever (85) of the first kinematic chain (83) is hinged to an upper portion of the upper tool while the second lever (95) of the second flat kinematic chain (93) is hinged to a lower portion of the upper tool (66) opposite said upper portion.

In a 42nd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 36th to the 41st the movement device (69) comprises a first actuator member (70 a) fit on the first lever (84) of the first kinematic chain (83) and configured for rotating said first lever (84) around said first axis (A1),

and wherein the movement device (69) comprises a second actuator member (70 b) fit on the first lever (94) of the second kinematic chain (93) and configured for rotating said first lever (94) around said second axis (A2),

wherein the first and the second actuator member (70 a, 70 b) are configured for rotating the respective first levers (84, 94) in opposite sense in order to allow a rotation of the upper tool (6) around said first and second rotation axis (A1, A2), wherein the first and the second actuator member (70 a, 70 b) are configured for rotating the respective first levers (84, 94) in the same sense in order to allow a translation of the upper tool (6) approaching and moving away from said first and second rotation axis (A1, A2).

In a 43rd aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect said first and second actuator member (70 a, 70 b) are configured for rotating the respective first levers (84, 94) in the same sense for defining at least:

-   -   a grouped condition in which the first and the second lever of         the first kinematic chain and in which the first and the second         lever of the second kinematic chain define an acute angle,         optionally in the grouped condition the upper tool is arranged         in a position close to the first and second rotation axis (A1,         A2),     -   an extended condition in which the first and the second lever of         the first kinematic chain and in which the first and the second         lever of the second kinematic chain define an obtuse angle,         optionally in the extended condition the upper tool (6) is         arranged in a spaced position with respect to the first and         second rotation axis (A1, A2).

In a 44th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 34th to the 43rd the movement device (69) comprises a guiding member (86) engaged in interposition between the upper tool (6) and the frame (3), said guiding member being configured for preventing oscillation of the upper tool (6) around the flat hinges, at which said upper tool is engaged with the second levers (85, 95) of the first and second flat kinematic chain.

In a 45th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the guiding member (86) comprises a respective first and second lever (86 a, 86 b) constrained to each other by means of a flat hinge, in which the first lever (86 a) of the guiding member (86) is also constrained to the frame (3) by means of a further flat hinge while the second lever (86 b) is constrained to the upper tool (6) by means of a further flat hinge,

wherein the flat hinges of the guiding member (86) are placed transverse, optionally orthogonal, to the flat hinges of the first and second flat kinematic chain.

In a 46th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 1st to the 5th or with the 33rd aspect the movement device (69) comprises:

-   -   a screw (97) hinged to the frame (3),     -   a first actuator (96) engaged with the frame (3) and active on         the screw (97), the first actuator (96) being configured for         rotating the screw (97),     -   a lead screw nut (98) it too engaged via rotation with the screw         (97),     -   a first lever (98 a) engaged, at one end, with the lead screw         nut (98) by means of a flat hinge and, at the opposite end         engaged by means of a flat hinge with the upper tool (6),     -   a second lever (98 b) engaged, at one end, with the first         actuator (96) by means of a flat hinge and, at the opposite end,         engaged by means of a flat hinge with an intermediate point of         said first lever (98 a),

wherein the first actuator (96) is configured for rotating the screw (97) in order to allow the approaching and moving away of the lead screw nut with respect to the first actuator (96) for defining at least:

-   -   a grouped condition of said first and second lever in which the         upper tool (6) is brought close to the screw (97),     -   an extended condition of said first and second lever in which         the upper tool (6) is spaced from the screw (97),

in which the upper tool (6), in the extended condition, is placed at a distance from the screw (97) greater than a distance present between upper tool (6) and screw (97) in the grouped condition.

In a 47th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the movement device (69) comprises at least one second actuator active on at least one from among said: first actuator, lead screw nut, first lever, second lever;

in which said second actuator lever system is configured for rotating the upper tool (6) around said screw (97) at least between:

-   -   a pick-up position in which the upper tool (6) faces the portion         (5 a) of said film (5 b) also placed at the respective         predetermined pick-up position,     -   a packaging position in which the upper tool (6) faces the lower         tool (2) also placed in the respective packaging position.

In a 48th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the first actuator is configured for commanding the extended condition of said first and second lever when the upper tool is in the pick-up position for defining said first position of the upper tool (6),

wherein the first actuator is also configured for commanding the extended condition of said first and second lever when the upper tool (6) is in the packaging position so as to define said second position of the upper tool (6).

In a 49th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 46th to the 48th the movement device (69) comprises a guiding member (99) engaged in interposition between the upper tool (6) and the frame (3), said guiding member (99) being configured for preventing oscillation at the upper tool (6) around an axis at which the same upper tool (6) is hinged to said second lever (98 a).

In a 50th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the guiding member (99) comprises a respective first and second lever (99 a, 99 b) constrained to each other by means of a flat hinge, in which the first lever (99 a) of the guiding member (99) is also constrained to the frame (3) by means of a further flat hinge while the second lever (99) of the guiding member (99) is constrained to the upper tool (6) by means of a further flat hinge,

wherein the flat hinges of the guiding member (99) are placed transverse, optionally orthogonal, to at least one of the flat hinges which connect:

-   -   the lead screw nut (98) to the first lever (98 a),     -   the first lever (98 a) to the upper tool (6),     -   the first actuator (96) to the second lever (98 b),     -   the first lever (98 a) to the second lever (98 b).

In a 51st aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 1st to the 5th or with the 33rd aspect the movement device (69) comprises:

-   -   a rod (110) hinged to the frame (3) and extended along a         direction orthogonal to the lying plane of the predetermined         movement trajectory of the upper tool (6),     -   a first lever (113) engaged, at one end, with the rod (110) by         means of a flat hinge,     -   a motor (114) engaged with the first lever (113) by means of a         flat hinge, said motor (114) being hinged to the first lever at         an end opposite the end at which said first lever is hinged to         the rod (110),     -   a second lever (115) engaged, at one end, with the rod (110) by         means of a flat hinge and, at the opposite end, engaged with the         upper tool by means of a flat hinge,

in which said first and second lever are configured for defining at least:

-   -   a grouped condition in which the upper tool (6) is close to the         rod (110),     -   an extended condition in which the upper tool (6) is spaced from         the rod (110), in which the upper tool (6), in the extended         condition, is placed at a distance from the rod (110) greater         than a distance present between upper tool (6) and rod (110) in         the grouped condition, in which said motor (114) is active on         said first and second lever for commanding the grouped condition         and the extended condition.

In a 52nd aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the movement device (69) comprises at least one actuator (111) active on at least one between the rod (110) and said first lever (113), said actuator (111) being configured for rotating the upper tool (6) around the rod (110) at least between:

-   -   a pick-up position in which the upper tool (6) faces the portion         (5 a) of said film (5 b) also placed at the respective         predetermined pick-up position,     -   a packaging position in which the upper tool (6) faces the lower         tool (2) also placed in the respective packaging position.

In a 53rd aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect said motor (114) is configured for commanding the extended condition of said first and second lever when the upper tool (6) is in the pick-up position for defining said first position of the upper tool (6),

wherein said motor (114) is also configured for commanding the extended condition of said first and second lever when said upper tool (6) is in the packaging position for defining said second position of the upper tool (6).

In a 54th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 51st to the 53rd the movement device (69) comprises a guiding member (116) engaged in interposition between the upper tool (6) and the frame (3), said guiding member (116) being configured for preventing oscillation at the upper tool (6) around an axis at which the same upper tool (6) is hinged to the second lever (116).

In a 55th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the guiding member (116) comprises a respective first and second lever constrained to each other by means of a flat hinge, in which the first lever of the guiding member is also constrained to the frame by means of a further flat hinge while the second lever is constrained to the upper tool (6) by means of a further flat hinge,

in which the flat hinges of the guiding member (116) are placed transverse, optionally orthogonal, to at least one of the flat hinges which connect:

-   -   the rod (110) to the first lever (113),     -   the first lever (113) to the motor (114),     -   the second lever (115) to the motor (114),     -   the second lever (115) to the upper tool (6).

In a 56th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the apparatus comprises a single upper tool (6) movable along the same trajectory, in use condition of the apparatus lying along a vertical plane, at least between:

-   -   the first and the second position in order to define an outward         stroke of the upper tool;     -   the second and the first position in order to define a return         stroke of the upper tool.

In a 57th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the movement device (69) is configured for moving said single upper tool (6) along the outward and return stroke.

In a 58th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the movement device (69) is configured for moving, optionally in use condition of the apparatus, the upper tool (6) between the first position and the second position, by rotating the upper tool (6) by 90 degrees.

In a 59th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the lower tool (2) is movable relative to the frame (3) at least between:

-   -   a packaging position in which the lower tool (2) is aligned with         the upper tool (6),     -   a loading position, spaced from the packaging position, in which         the lower tool (2) is configured for receiving said support (4).

In a 60th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the movement device (69) comprises a synchronizing kinematic system (75) which mechanically interconnects the lower tool (2) with the upper tool (6) for synchronizing the passage of the upper tool (6) from the first to the second position with the passage of the lower tool (2) from the loading position to the packaging position.

In a 61st aspect in accordance with the 59th or 60th aspect, the movement device (69) comprises a synchronizing kinematic system (75) which mechanically interconnects the lower tool (2) with the upper tool (6) for synchronizing the passage of the upper tool (6) from the first to the second position with the passage of the lower tool (2) from the loading position to the packaging position, such that when the lower tool (2) is in loading position the upper tool (6) is situated in the first position for picking up said film portion (5 a), and when the lower tool (2) is in packaging position the upper tool (6) is situated in the second position for engaging said film portion (5 a) with the at least one support (4) housed by the lower tool (2) and hence making the at least one package (40).

In a 62nd aspect in accordance with the 59th or 60th or 61st aspect, the single actuator member (70) active on the movement device (69) is commandable for synchronously moving the upper tool (6) from the first position to the second position and the lower tool (2) from the loading position to the packaging position, as well as for synchronously moving the upper tool (6) from the second position to the first position and the lower tool (2) from the packaging position to the loading position.

In a 63rd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 59th to the 62nd, the apparatus comprises a guiding device adapted to move the lower tool (2) from the loading position to the packaging position according to a rectilinear trajectory, optionally horizontal rectilinear.

In a 64th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the apparatus comprises a transverse cutting device (76) for cutting the film comprising a cutting unit borne by the frame (3) or by the upper tool (6) and active on the film (5 b) coming from the supplying station (5).

In a 65th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, said cutting unit comprises at least one blade (76 a) configured for being transversely arranged with respect to an advancing direction of film coming from the supplying station (5).

In a 66th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, said blade (76 a) is movable in a to-and-fro manner transverse to the active surface (6 a) of the upper tool (6) in pick-up position.

In a 67th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the upper tool (6) comprises at least one sealing head configured for heating at least one part of said active surface (6 a) of the upper tool (6) for heat-sealing the film portion (5 a) to the support (4) in order to define a hermetically closed package.

In a 68th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the upper tool (6) comprises means (77) for holding the film portion (5 a) at the active surface (6 a), said means for holding comprising optionally one or more of:

-   -   at least one vacuum source connected with suction openings         present on the active surface (6 a),     -   one or more mechanical retainers associated with the active         surface (6 a),     -   one or more adhesive portions associated with the active surface         (6 a),     -   at least one electric circuit electrically connected with the         active surface (6 a) in order to charge such surface with a         predetermined polarity.

In a 69th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the lower tool (2) and the upper tool (6) are configured for defining—in the second position of the upper tool in which upper and lower tools are approached—a chamber in which said support (4) bearing the product and said film portion is housed.

In a 70th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the packaging apparatus (1) comprises a suctioning system fluidically communicating with said chamber, said suctioning system being configured for removing air from the interior of the chamber in order to define a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure inside the same.

In a 71st aspect in accordance with the 69th or 70th aspect, the packaging apparatus (1) comprises a blowing system fluidically communicating with said chamber and configured for introducing gas within the latter in order to define a modified atmosphere environment inside the same.

In a 72nd aspect a process is provided for packaging at least one product (P) by means of the use of a packaging apparatus (1) in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, said process comprising the following steps:

-   -   arranging at least one support (4) supporting at least one         product (P) on the lower tool (2) placed in the loading         position,     -   moving the lower tool (2) from the loading position to the         packaging position,     -   positioning the upper tool (6) at said first position,     -   optionally separating said film portion (5 a) from the         continuous film (5 b) provided by the supplying station (5),     -   picking up, with said upper tool (6) in said first position, the         film portion (5 a) from the supplying station (5).

In a 73rd aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the process comprising the following steps:

-   -   moving, by means of the movement device (69), the upper tool (6)         from the first position to the second position,     -   moving the lower tool (2) from the loading position to the         packaging position, such that the upper tool (6), in the second         position, is aligned with and next to the lower tool (2) when in         the packaging position,     -   engaging said film portion (5 a) with the support (4) for         obtaining at least one package (40).

In a 74th aspect in accordance with the aspect 72nd or 73rd, the step of moving the upper tool (6) from the first position to the second position and the step of moving the lower tool from the loading position to the packaging position are synchronized with each other.

In a 75th aspect in accordance with the aspect 72nd or 73rd or 74th, the step of engaging the film portion (5 a) with the support (1) comprises the following sub-steps:

-   -   holding said film portion (5 a) by means of the upper tool (6)         above the respective support,     -   heating said film portion (5 a) held above the respective         support.

In a 76th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the step of engaging the film portion (5 a) with the support (1) comprises the sub-step of hermetically heat-sealing said film portion to at least one portion of the support for defining a housing compartment of the package within which the product (P) is housed.

In a 77th aspect in accordance with the aspect 75th or 76th, the step of engaging the film portion (5 a) with the support (1) comprises the sub-step of removing at least part of the air present between said film portion (5 a) and the respective support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the finding will be described hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed drawings, provided only as a non-limiting example in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging plant comprising a packaging apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed views a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 to 7A schematically illustrate possible movements of an upper tool of a packaging apparatus in accordance with FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are respective schematic representations of components of the apparatus in accordance with FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9C to 9H schematically illustrate possible movements of an upper tool of a packaging apparatus in accordance with FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment variant of the apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 13A to 13D schematically illustrate possible movements of an upper tool of a packaging apparatus in accordance with FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of components of the apparatus in accordance with FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a detailed view of the apparatus of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 16A to 16D schematically illustrate possible movements of an upper tool of a packaging apparatus in accordance with FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of components of the apparatus in accordance with FIG. 15.

CONVENTIONS

It should be noted that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. The figures may illustrate the object of the invention by representations that are not in scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures relating to the object of the invention may relate solely to schematic representations.

The terms upstream and downstream refer to a direction of advancement of a package—or of a support for making said package—along a predetermined path starting from a starting or forming station of a support for said package, through a packaging apparatus and then up to a package unloading station.

DEFINITIONS

Product

The term product P means an article or a composite of articles of any kind. For example, the product may be of a foodstuff type and be in solid, liquid or gel form, i.e. in the form of two or more of the aforementioned aggregation states. In the food sector, the product may comprise: meat, fish, cheese, treated meats, prepared and frozen meals of various kinds.

Control Unit

The packaging apparatus described and claimed herein comprises at least one control unit designed to control the operations performed by the apparatus. The control unit can clearly be only one or be formed by a plurality of different control units according to the design choices and the operational needs. With the term control unit it is intended an electronic component which can include at least one selected in the following group: a digital processor (e.g. comprising at least one selected in the group among: CPU, GPU, GPGPU), a memory (or memories), an analog circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processing units with one or more analog circuits. The control unit can be “configured” or “programmed” to perform some steps: this can be done in practice by any means that allows configuring or programming the control unit. For example, in the case of a control unit comprising one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs can be stored in appropriate memory banks connected to the CPU or to the CPUs; the program or programs contain instructions which, when executed by the CPU or the CPUs, program or configure the control unit to perform the operations described in relation to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or includes analog circuitry, then the control unit circuit may be designed to include circuitry configured, in use, for processing electrical signals so as to perform the steps related to control unit. The control unit may comprise one or more digital units, for example of the microprocessor type, or one or more analog units, or a suitable combination of digital and analog units; the control unit can be configured for coordinating all the actions necessary for executing an instruction and instruction sets.

Actuator

The term actuator means any device capable of causing movement on a body, for example on a command of the control unit (reception by the actuator of a command sent by the control unit). The actuator can be of an electric, pneumatic, mechanical (for example with a spring) type, or of another type.

Support

With the term support, it is intended both a flat support and a tray comprising at least one base and at least one lateral wall emerging from the external perimeter of the base and optionally a terminal flange emerging radially outward from an upper perimeter edge of the lateral wall. The external flange can extend along a single main extension plane or it can be shaped; in the case of shaped external flange, the latter can for example have multiple portions extended along main extension planes that are different from each other, in particular parallel but offset from each other. The support defines an upper surface on which the product P can be placed and/or a volume within which the product can be housed.

The tray can comprise an upper edge portion radially emerging from a free edge of the lateral wall opposite the base: the upper edge portion emerges from the lateral wall according to a direction moving outward from the volume of the tray itself.

The flat support can be of any shape, for example rectangular, rhomboidal, circular or elliptical; analogously the tray with lateral wall can have a base of any shape, for example rectangular, rhomboidal, circular or elliptical. The support can be formed by means of a specific manufacturing process separate from the packaging process or it can be made, e.g. via thermoforming, in line with the packaging process.

The support can be entirely or partly made of paper material, optionally exhibiting at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 70% by weight, of organic material comprising one or more of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, lignin derivatives. The paper material in question extends between a first and a second main extension surface. The sheet paper material employed for making the support can, in an embodiment variant thereof, be covered for at least one part of the first and/or second main extension surface by means of a plastic material covering, e.g. film for food use. If the covering is arranged so as to cover at least part of the first extension surface, the same covering will come to define an internal surface of the support. On the other hand, if the covering is arranged on the second main extension surface, the same covering will come to define an external surface of the support. The covering can also be thermally treated such that it can act as an engagement and fixing element for portions of the support, as will be better described hereinbelow. The covering can also be employed for defining a sort of barrier to water and/or humidity useful for preventing the weakening and loss of structurality of the support with consequent uncontrolled deformation of the paper material forming the latter component. The covering can be applied to the paper material (as specified above on the internal and/or external side of the support) in the form of a so-called coating or lacquer deposited as a solution or sprayed whose thickness is generally comprised, in a non-limiting manner, between 0.2 and 10 μm. Alternatively, the covering can comprise a plastic film, e.g. a polyethene coating, applicable by means of a lamination process on one or both sides (internal and/or external sides) of the paper material defining the support. If the covering is applied by means of lamination, the values of the plastic film (covering) can for example vary between 10 and 400 μm, in particular between 20 and 200 μm, still more particularly between 30 and 80 μm, of covering material (i.e. polyethene). The plastic covering material can be selected, by way of example, among the following materials: PP, PE (HDPE, LDPE, MDPE, LLDPE), EVA, polyesters (including PET and PETg), PVdC.

The support can alternatively be entirely or partly made of single-layer and multilayer thermoplastic material. The support can be provided with gas barrier properties. As used herein, this term refers to a film or sheet of material that has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 200 cm³/(m²*day*bar), less than 150 cm³/(m²*day*bar), less than 100 cm³/(m²*day*bar) when measured in accordance with ASTM D-3985 at 23° C. and 0% relative humidity. Gas barrier materials suitable for single-layer thermoplastic containers are for example polyesters, polyamides, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), PVDC and the like. The support can be made of multilayer material comprising at least one gas barrier layer and at least one heat-sealable layer to allow sealing the covering film on the surface of the support. The gas barrier polymers which can be employed for the gas barrier layer are PVDC, EVOH, polyamides, polyesters and mixtures thereof. Generally, a PVDC barrier layer will contain plasticizers and/or stabilizers as known in the art. The thickness of the gas barrier layer will preferably be set in order to provide the material of which the support is composed with an oxygen transmission rate at 23° C. and 0% relative humidity less than 50 cm³/(m²*day*atm), preferably less than 10 cm³/(m²*day*atm), when measured in accordance with ASTM D-3985. In general, the heat-sealable layer will be selected from polyolefins, such as ethylene homo- or copolymers, propylene homo- or copolymers, ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers, ionomers and homo- or co-polyesters, e.g. PETG, a glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate.

Additional layers, such as adhesive layers, for example to make the gas barrier layer better adhere to the adjacent layers, may preferably be present in the material of which the support is made and are selected based on the specific resins used for the gas barrier layer. In the case of a multilayer structure, part of this can be formed as a foam. For example, the multilayer material used for forming the support can comprise (from the outermost layer to the layer of contact with the more internal foods) one or more structural layers, typically made of a material such as expanded polystyrene, expanded polyester or expanded polypropylene, or of cardboard, or sheet for example polypropylene, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyester; a gas barrier layer and a heat-sealable layer.

A frangible layer that is easy to open can be positioned adjacent to the heat-sealable layer in order to facilitate the opening of the final package. Mixtures of polymers with low cohesion that can be used as frangible layer are for example those described in the document WO99/54398. The overall thickness of the support can be equal to or smaller than 5 mm, optionally comprised between 0.04 and 3.00 mm, and still more optionally comprised between 0.05 and 1.00 mm. The support can be entirely made of paper material (optionally with covering made of plastic material film) or it can be entirely made of plastic material. In a further embodiment variant, the support is at least partly made of paper material and at least partly of plastic material; in particular, the support is made of plastic material at its interior and externally covered at least in part in paper material. The support can also be employed for defining so-called “ready-meals” packages; in such configuration the supports are made such that they can be inserted in an oven for heating and/or cooking the food product placed in the package. In such embodiment (supports for ready-meals packages), the support can for example be made of paper material, in particular cardboard, coated in polyester or it can be entirely made with a polyester resin. For example, supports suitable for ready-made packages are made of the following materials: CPET, APET or APET/CPET, expanded or non-expanded. The support can also comprise a hot-weldable layer of a low melting material on the film. This hot-weldable layer can be co-extruded with a PET-based layer (as described in the patent applications No. EP 1 529 797 A and No. WO 2007/093495 A1) or it can be deposited on the base film by means of deposition with solvent means or by means of extrusion coating (e.g. described in the documents U.S. Pat. No. 2,762,720 A and EP 1 252 008 A). In a further embodiment variant, the support can be at least partly made of metal material, in particular of aluminum. The support can also be at least partly made of aluminum and at least partly of paper material.

Film

A film made of plastic material, in particular polymeric material, is applied to the supports (flat supports or trays), so as to create a fluid-tight package housing the product.

If desired, a vacuum package is attained, the film applied with the support is typically a flexible multilayer material comprising at least one first external thermo-weldable layer capable of welding to the internal surface of the support, optionally a gas barrier layer, and a second external heat-resistant layer.

If it is Desired to Make a Package Under Controlled Atmosphere (MAP) or a package under natural atmosphere (non-modified atmosphere), the film applied with the support (film made of plastic, in particular polymeric material) is typically single-layer or multilayer, having at least one thermo-weldable layer and possibly capable of heat-shrinking under the action of heat. The applied film can also comprise at least one gas barrier layer and optionally an external heat-resistant layer.

Material specifications

The term paper material means paper or cardboard; in particular, the sheet material that can be used to make the paper layer can have a weight of between 30 and 600 g/m², in particular of between 40 and 500 g/m², even more particularly between 50 and 250 g/m².

PVDC is any vinylidene chloride copolymer in which a prevalent amount of the copolymer comprises vinylidene chloride and a lower amount of the copolymer comprises one or more unsaturated monomers copolymerizable therewith, typically vinyl chloride and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates (for example methyl acrylate or methacrylate) and mixtures thereof in different proportions.

The term EVOH includes saponified or hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and refers to ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers having an ethylene co-monomer content preferably composed of a percentage of from about 28 to about 48 mole %, more preferably from about 32 and about 44 mole % of ethylene and even more preferably, and a saponification degree of at least 85%, preferably at least 90%.

The term polyamides is meant to indicate homo- and co- or ter-polymers. This term specifically includes aliphatic polyamides or co-polyamides, e.g. polyamide 6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 66, polyamide 69, polyamide 610, polyamide 612, copolyamide 6/9, copolyamide 6/10, copolyamide 6/12, copolyamide 6/66, copolyamide 6/69, aromatic and partly aromatic polyamides or copolyamides, such as polyamide 61, polyamide 6I/6T, polyamide MXD6, polyamide MXD6/MXDI, and mixtures thereof.

The term polyesters refers to polymers obtained from the polycondensation reaction of dicarboxylic acids with dihydroxylic alcohols. Suitable dicarboxylic acids are, for example, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and the like. Suitable dihydroxylic alcohols are for example ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanodimethanol and the like. Examples of useful polyesters include poly(ethylene terephthalate) and copolyesters obtained by reaction of one or more carboxylic acids with one or more dihydroxylic alcohols.

The term copolymer means a polymer derived from two or more types of monomers and includes terpolymers. Ethylene homo-polymers include high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). Ethylene copolymers include ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers and unsaturated ethylene/ester copolymers. The ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers generally include copolymers of ethylene and one or more co-monomers selected from alpha-olefins having between 3 and 20 carbon atoms, such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 4-methyl-1-pentene and the like. Ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers generally have a density in the range of from about 0.86 to about 0.94 g/cm³. It is generally understood that the term linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) includes that group of ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers which fall in the density range of between about 0.915 and about 0.94 g/cm³ and in particular between about 0.915 and about 0.925 g/cm³. Sometimes, linear polyethylene in the density range between about 0.926 and about 0.94 g/cm³ is referred to as linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE). Lower density ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers may be referred to as very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) and ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE). Ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers can be obtained with heterogeneous or homogeneous polymerization processes. Another useful ethylene copolymer is an unsaturated ethylene/ester copolymer, which is the copolymer of ethylene and one or more unsaturated ester monomers. Useful unsaturated esters include vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids, in which esters have between 4 and 12 carbon atoms, such as vinyl acetate, and alkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid, in which esters have between 4 and 12 carbon atoms. Ionomers are copolymers of an ethylene and an unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid having the carboxylic acid neutralized by a metal ion, such as zinc or, preferably, sodium. Useful propylene copolymers include propylene/ethylene copolymers, which are copolymers of propylene and ethylene having a percentage by weight content mostly of propylene and propylene/ethylene/butene ter-polymers, which are copolymers of propylene, ethylene and 1-butene.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Packaging Apparatus 1

Reference number 1 overall indicates a packaging apparatus usable for packing, e.g. under vacuum or in controlled atmosphere, at least one product P arranged on a support 4.

The packaging apparatus 1 comprises a supporting frame 3 defining a fixed structure intended to be abutted against the ground. The frame 3 supports a supplying station 5 for supplying a film 5 b optionally made of plastic material wound in a reel; the reel is borne by the frame and configured for being unwound so as to arrange at least one portion 5 a of the film 5 b at a predetermined pick-up position. In order to appropriately position the portion 5 a of film, the supplying station 5 comprises an abutment plate 74 which receives the continuous film coming from the reel and configured for defining an abutment surface 74 a for the portion 5 a of the film 5 b (see for example FIGS. 5 and 6). In the illustrated example, the abutment surface 74 a of the abutment plate 74 is flat and arranged on a vertical plane, such that the film portion received by the abutment surface is also arranged according to a flat and vertical configuration. In order to hold the film portion 5 a on the abutment surface, the plate 74 can be provided with gripping means 77 (see the schematization of FIGS. 1 and 3) such as: a vacuum source connected with suction openings present on the abutment surface, one or more mechanical retainers (clips, grippers or other) associated with the abutment surface, one or more adhesive portions associated with the abutment surface, an electric circuit electrically connected with the abutment surface in order to charge such surface with a predetermined polarity so as to exert an attraction force of electrical nature on the film.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a lower tool 2 engaged with the frame 3 and configured for receiving one or more supports 4; the apparatus further comprises an upper tool 6 also engaged with the frame 3 and configured for cooperating with the lower tool 2: as better described hereinbelow, the upper tool 6 holds the film portion 5 a, picking it up from the supplying station 5 in order to then engage it with at least one support 4 housed in the lower tool 2 and thus make at least one package 40.

The apparatus 1 comprises a movement device 69 interposed between the frame 3 and the upper tool 6: said device 69 is configured for moving the upper tool 6 at least between a first position and a second position.

In the first position, an active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 is next to the abutment plate 74 and hence also to the film portion 5 a that is situated in the predetermined pick-up position (FIGS. 3 and 5). The active surface 6 a is in turn configured for receiving, from the supplying station 5, the film portion 5 a present at the abutment plate 74 and for holding the same film portion 5 a during the movement of the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position; for such purpose, the upper tool 6 can be provided with respective means 77 for holding the film portion 5 a at the active surface 6 a, which can comprise one or more of the following means: at least one vacuum source connected with suction openings present on the active surface 6 a, one or more mechanical retainers (grippers, clips or other) associated with the active surface 6 a, one or more adhesive portions associated with the active surface 6 a, an electric circuit electrically connected with the active surface 6 a in order to charge such surface with a predetermined polarity, or other means.

In the second position, the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 is aligned with and next to the lower tool 2 for engaging the film portion 5 a picked up from the supplying station 5 with at least one support 4 present in the lower tool 2 and thus making at least one package 40.

In turn, the lower tool 2, due to suitable guides, is movable with respect to the frame 3 between a loading position and a packaging position spaced from the loading position. In the loading position (e.g. visible in FIGS. 1-3, 5) the lower tool 2 is configured for receiving said support 4: in other words, in this position, it is possible for an operator or an automated loading system to access the lower tool 2 in order to position one or more supports 4 in corresponding one or more seats defined in the lower tool 2. In the packaging position, the lower tool 2 is aligned with the upper tool 6, when the latter is situated in the respective above-described second position, such that the upper tool 6 can couple the film portion 5 a held thereby with at least one respective support 4 present in the lower tool 2.

In detail, the movement device 69—which provides for moving the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position—is configured for moving the upper tool 6 itself between the first and the second position along a predetermined trajectory lying, in use condition of the apparatus, along a vertical plane; indeed, during the passage from the first to the second position (and vice versa), all the points that define the active surface 6 a are moved onto respective vertical planes that are parallel to each other. In other words, the motion conferred to the upper tool 6 by the device 69 is a flat motion in the sense that all the points of the active surface of the upper tool cover respective flat vertical trajectories over vertical planes that are parallel to each other along, both during the outward movement from the first to the second position and along the return stroke from the second to the first position. In this manner the lateral bulk of the upper tool 6, throughout the movement step, does not change, rendering the volume in which the apparatus 1 operates extremely compact.

As is visible in the enclosed figures, the apparatus comprises a single upper tool 6 movable along a single trajectory lying, in use condition of the apparatus, along a vertical plane; said single upper tool 6 is movable at least between:

-   -   the first and the second position in order to define an outward         stroke of the upper tool 6;     -   the second and the first position in order to define a return         stroke of the upper tool 6.

The movement device 69 is configured for moving the upper tool 6 along the outward and return stroke.

As is visible in the enclosed figures the first and the second position define a position of the upper tool 6, in particular of the active surface 6 a of the upper tool—angularly offset by an angle equal to or lower than 120°, optionally comprised between 100° and 50°, still more optionally by an angle substantially equal to 90°. The movement device 69 is active on the upper tool in order to allow the angular movement of the upper tool 6 between the first and the second position, and vice versa.

The apparatus 1 can comprise at least one actuator 70—e.g. an electric motor or a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor—active on the movement device 69 and configured for guiding the upper tool 6 between the first and the second position, and vice versa.

As will be better described hereinbelow, the upper tool 6 comprises a sealing head comprising said active surface 6 a; the active surface can thus be heated so as to heat-seal the film portion 5 a to the support 4 in order to define a hermetically closed package. The upper tool 6 can be further provided with means for holding configured for holding the film portion 5 a at the active surface 6 a.

In a first embodiment schematized in FIGS. 5 to 7A, the movement device 69 is constituted by a flat kinematic chain which therefore does not generate, in the passage of the upper tool 6 between the first and the second position, any movement transverse to said parallel planes.

Such movement device 69, i.e. the flat kinematic chain defining the same device, comprises a driving member 71 configured for rotating around a first rotation axis A orthogonal to the predetermined vertical flat trajectory—i.e. orthogonal to said vertical parallel planes—and a driven member 72 having a terminal portion hinged to the driving member 71 and a second terminal portion fixed to the upper tool 6. In more detail, the movement device 69 comprises a first flat hinge 73 a constrained to the frame 3 for defining the abovementioned first rotation axis A: the driving member 71 is engaged with the first flat hinge for rotating around the first rotation axis A. The device 69 further comprises a second flat hinge 73 b interposed between the driving member and the driven member in order to rotatably constrain one to the other. For this purpose, the driven member 72 has a first terminal portion, hinged to the driving member 71 due to the second flat hinge 73 b interposed between driven member and driving member. The driven member 72 also has a second terminal portion, fixed to the upper tool 6, and an intermediate portion extended between the two abovementioned terminal portions. Finally, the movement device 69 comprises a guiding member 73 c engaged via rotation with respect to the frame 3 around a second rotation axis B parallel and spaced with respect to the first rotation axis A. The guiding member 73 c is also shaped so as to slidably receive a third portion of the driven member 72 intermediate between said first and said second terminal portion of the same driven member. For example, the guiding member 73 c can comprise a sleeve, the interior thereof slidably receiving the intermediate portion of the driven member 72, such sleeve then being hinged to the frame 3, rotatably around the axis B.

Entering into the structural detail, the driving member 71 can have the shape of a rod whose opposite ends are respectively engaged with the first and with the second flat hinge 73 a, 73 b; the driven member 72 can in turn have the shape of a rod, in particular of greater length, more particularly at least double the length of the rod forming the driving member 71. As already stated above, the driven member 72 has opposite ends respectively engaged with the second flat hinge 73 b and with the upper tool 6; the guiding member 73 c is constituted by a cylindrical sleeve engaged with the frame, the interior thereof slidably receiving the intermediate portion of the driven member 72.

As is observed by comparing FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 6A and 7, 7A, the movement device 69 and hence the driving member 71, the driven member 72, the first flat hinge 73 a, the second flat hinge 73 b and the guiding member 73 c, are arranged and engaged with each other, directly (or indirectly) to the frame 3, such that following a rotation of the driving member 71 around the axis A (e.g. equal to 270 degrees), there is overall a rotation (e.g. by 90 degrees of the driven member 72) with simultaneous sliding of the same driving member 71 relative to the guiding member 73 c: the driving member, even if free to rotate, cannot translate with respect to the frame 3. The movement of the driven member 72, determined by the driving member 71, from the position represented in FIG. 5A to the position represented in FIG. 7A, comprises the following steps. the driven member 72 (first step) first rotates and slides within the guiding member 73 c, causing a rotation and a departure of the upper tool 6 from the abutment plate 74, without risk of mechanical interference; then (second step), the driven member 72 continues its rotation, causing the approach of the upper tool 6 to the guiding member 73 c (FIG. 6A); finally (third step), the driven member 72 completes its rotation and simultaneously slides in the sense opposite the first, with respect to the guiding member 73 c, in order to move the upper tool 6 away from the same guiding member 73 c and bringing the upper tool 6 next to the lower tool 2 (FIG. 7A).

Still with specific reference to the first embodiment of the movement device 69 illustrated in FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 7, 7A, the latter can be configured such that when the upper tool 6 is in said first position, the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 is arranged according to a vertical plane parallel to the abutment surface 74 a (also flat and vertical); in this condition, the movement device 69 vertically arranges the driving member 71 and horizontally arranges the driven member 72 (see FIG. 5A). When the upper tool 6 is in the second position, the movement device 69 is configured for arranging the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 according to a horizontal plane facing the lower tool 2 placed in the packaging position; in this condition, the device 69 horizontally arranges the driving member 71 and vertically arranges the driven member 72, with the upper tool 6 (which from the first to the second position is rotated by 90 degrees) in said second position.

Still in accordance with the first embodiment of the movement device 69, the latter can be guided in movement by a single actuator member 70 of the apparatus, optionally an electric motor or a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor. The single actuator 70 is active on the movement device 69 and commandable for selectively moving the upper tool 6 from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position In particular, the actuator member 70 is active on the driving member 71 and for example comprises a motor fit on the first axis A in order to rotate the driving member 71 around said first rotation axis A: in this manner, by simply arranging an actuator 70 such as a motor of the described type, it is possible to rotate the driven member 72 and cause the described movement of the upper tool 6, hence with a solution that is simple and compact given the components used and the flat vertical trajectory conferred to the upper tool 6.

In a second embodiment illustrated for example in FIGS. 8 to 11, the movement device 69 comprises a first and a second flat kinematic chain 83, 93 configured for allowing, in the passage of the upper tool 6 between the first and the second position, a movement of the upper tool 6 along said predetermined trajectory lying, in use conditions of the apparatus, in a vertical plane (and hence in which the points of the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 are moved along said flat parallel planes).

The first and the second kinematic chain 83, 93 of the movement device 69 are spaced from each other according to an axis that is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool (and in particular to said vertical parallel planes along which the points of the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 are moved). In detail and as visible in FIG. 9A, the first and the second flat kinematic chain 83, 93 are engaged at end portions of the upper tool 6; in still more detail, the first kinematic chain 83 is engaged with the upper tool 6 at an upper portion of the upper tool 6 while the second kinematic chain 93 is engaged at a lower portion of the upper tool 6 opposite said upper portion (see for example FIG. 9A).

As is visible in the figure, the first flat kinematic chain 83 comprises a first lever 84 configured for rotating around a first rotation axis A1 orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool 6—i.e. orthogonal to said vertical parallel planes—and a second lever 85 having a first terminal portion 85′ hinged to the first lever 84 and a second terminal portion 85″ hinged to the upper tool 6. In particular, the first lever 84 has a first terminal portion 84′ hinged to the frame 3 (fixed hinge) and a second terminal portion 84″ hinged to the first terminal portion 85′ of the second lever 85 (movable hinge).

In more detail, the first kinematic chain 83 comprises a first flat hinge 83 a constrained to the frame 3 for defining the abovementioned first rotation axis A1: the first lever 84 is engaged with the first flat hinge 83 a for rotating around the first rotation axis A1. The first kinematic chain 83 further comprises a second movable flat hinge 83 b interposed between the first lever 84 and the second lever 85 in order to rotatably constrain one to the other. For this purpose, the second lever 85 has the first terminal portion 85′ hinged to the first lever 84 due to the second flat hinge 83 b interposed between the first and the second lever. The second lever also has the second terminal portion 85″, constrained to the upper tool 6 by means of a further flat hinge 83 c. The flat hinges (83 a, 83 b and 83 c) of the first kinematic chain 83 are configured for allowing the rotation of the respective levers in a plane parallel to the lying plane of the predetermined trajectory of the upper tool 6.

Entering into the structural detail, the first lever 84 can have the shape of a rod whose opposite ends are respectively engaged with the first and with the second flat hinge 83 a, 83 b; the second lever 85 can in turn have the shape of a rod, in particular with length substantially identical to the length of the rod forming the first lever 84.

As is visible in the figure, the second flat kinematic chain 93 comprises a respective first lever 94 configured for rotating around a respective second rotation axis A2 orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined trajectory of the upper tool; the movement device 69 further comprises a respective second lever 95 having a first terminal portion 95′ hinged to the first lever 94 and a second terminal portion 95″ hinged to the upper tool 6. In particular, the first lever 94 has a first terminal portion 94′ hinged to the frame 3 and a second terminal portion 94″ hinged to the first terminal portion 95′ of the second lever 95. In more detail, the second kinematic chain 93 comprises a first flat hinge 93 a constrained to the frame 3 for defining the abovementioned first rotation axis A2: the first lever 94 is engaged with the first flat hinge 93 a for rotating around the first rotation axis A2. the second kinematic chain 93 further comprises a second flat hinge 93 b interposed between the first lever 94 and the second lever 95 for rotatably constraining one to the other. For this purpose, the second lever 95 has the first terminal portion 95′ hinged to the first lever 94 due to the second flat hinge 93 b interposed between first and second lever. The second lever further has the second terminal portion 95″ constrained by means of a further flat hinge 93 c to the upper tool 6. Also the flat hinges of the second kinematic chain 93 are configured for allowing the rotation of the respective rods in a plane parallel to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined trajectory of the upper tool 6.

Entering into the structural detail, the first lever 94 of the second kinematic chain 93 can have the shape of a rod whose opposite ends are respectively engaged with the first and with the second flat hinge 93 a, 93 b; the second lever 95 of the second kinematic chain can in turn have the shape of a rod, in particular of length substantially identical to the length of the rod forming the first lever 94. Indeed, the first and the second kinematic chain 83, 93 have the same structure, the only difference between the first and the second kinematic chain is represented by the orientation and the position in which the second levers 85, 95 are constrained to the upper tool 6, such levers respectively fixed to the upper and lower portions of the upper tool 6 as illustrated for example in FIG. 9. In more detail, the first and the second kinematic chain 83, 93 are configured for being arranged in an extended condition (FIGS. 8D and 9G) in which the levers (84, 85, 94 and 95) define a respective obtuse angle: in the extended condition, the upper tool 6 can be next to the plate 74, i.e. arranged in the first position of the upper tool (FIG. 9D), or be next to the lower tool 2, i.e. in the second position (FIG. 9G). the first and the second 83, 93 are also configured for being arranged in a grouped condition (FIG. 9C, 9E, 9F, 9H) in which the levers (84, 85, 94 and 95) define a respective acute angle: in the grouped condition the upper tool 6 is spaced close to the plate 74 and to the lower tool 2.

As is observed by comparing FIGS. 9C-9H, the movement device 69 in its second embodiment is arranged and engaged with the frame 3, such that following a rotation of the first levers 84, 94 around the respective axis A1, A2 (e.g. equal to 90 degrees), there is overall a rotation of the upper tool 6 between the first and the second position, or the passage from the extended condition to the grouped condition of the first and second kinematic chain in order to allow the approaching or spacing of the upper tool 6 to/from the plate 74 and to/from lower tool 2. In more detail, due to the structure and position of the first and second kinematic chain 83, 93, following the opposite rotation of the first levers 84, 94 around the respective axis, the kinematic chains 83, 93 are configured for passing from the extended condition to the grouped condition, and vice versa; on the other hand, following the same-sense rotation of the first levers 84, 94 around the respective axis, the kinematic chains 83, 93 are configured for allowing the rotation of the entire movement device 69 and of the upper tool 6 around an axis that is transverse to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined trajectory of the upper tool (and hence orthogonal to said vertical parallel planes for movements of the points of the active surface 6 a), in order to allow the upper tool 6 to face the plate 74 and the lower tool 2. Indeed, due to the rotation in the same or opposite sense of the first levers 84, 94, the movement device 69, in its second embodiment, is configured for managing the passage of the upper tool 6 from the first and second position in order to allow gripping the film 5 a and heat-sealing the latter on the support borne by the lower tool.

In the enclosed figures, a movement device 69 was illustrated, in its second embodiment, in which the rotation axes A1 and A2 of the first levers coincide; in such condition, the movement device 69 and the upper tool 6 are configured for rotating around said rotation axes (A1 and A2) when the first levers are rotated in the same sense.

As is visible in the enclosed figures, the movement device 69, in its second embodiment, further comprises a guiding member 86 engaged on one side with the frame 3 and on the other side with the upper tool 6; the guiding member 86 is configured for preventing the oscillation of the upper tool 6 around the flat hinges of the second levers 85, 95 to which the upper tool 6 is directly constrained. The guiding member 86 can comprise a pin 86 a for connecting the first levers 84, 94, free to rotate with respect to the latter and with respect to the frame 3; the guiding member 86 can further comprise a rod fixed on one side to the upper tool 6 and engaged by means of a constraint of carriage type to the pin 86 a.

The guiding member 86 can comprise, as a substitution of the rod, a first and a second lever 86 b, 86 c hinged to each other and hinged respectively to the pin 86 a (or to a portion of the movement device 69 such as an actuator configured for rotating the first or the second flat kinematic chain) and to the upper tool 6 (FIG. 9). The first and second lever 86 b, 86 c of the guiding member 86 are configured for defining a flat kinematic chain placed orthogonal with respect to the flat kinematic chains 83, 93 so as to prevent undesired oscillations of the upper tool 6. Hereinbelow, the movement device 69 is briefly described during the passage of the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position. Starting from the configuration of FIG. 9C, where the upper tool 6 faces and is spaced from the plate 74 (grouped condition of the levers 84, 85, 94 and 95), a counter-rotation is executed of the first levers 84 and 94 respectively of the first and second flat kinematic system 83, 93, so as to allow the passage of the latter from the grouped condition to the extended condition, so as to bring the upper tool 6 close to the plate 74 (first position of the upper tool illustrated in FIG. 9D) in a manner so as to allow gripping the film 5 a. Then, the first levers 84, 94 are once again counter-rotated (according to opposite senses with respect to the preceding counter-rotation) so as to allow the passage of the first and second flat kinematic system 83, 93 from the extended condition to the grouped condition (FIG. 9E). Then, the first levers 84, 94 are rotated according to a same sense, so as to allow the rotation of the movement device 69 and of the upper tool 6 in order to bring the latter from a position in which it faces the plate 74 to a position in which it faces the lower tool 2 (see FIG. 9F). In such position, the first levers 84, 94 are newly placed in counter-rotation so as to allow the passage of the first and second flat kinematic system 83, 93 from the grouped condition to the extended condition (FIG. 9G): in such extended condition, the upper tool 6 is brought close to the lower tool 6 and configured for allowing the fixing (heat-sealing) of the film 5 a on the support 4 (second position of the upper tool 6).

Following the fixing of the film, the upper tool 6 is spaced from the lower tool by means of a further counter-rotation of the first levers 84, 94 so as to allow the passage of the first and second kinematic chain 83, 93 from the extended condition to the grouped condition (FIG. 9H). Finally, the upper tool 6 is brought into the starting condition due to a new same-sense rotation (in this step clockwise) of the first levers 84, 94 so that the upper tool 6 faces the plate 74.

Still in accordance with the second embodiment of the movement device 69, the latter can be guided in movement by two separate actuator members 70 a, 70 b of the apparatus 1, optionally electric motors, hydraulic actuators or pneumatic actuators. The actuators are active on the respective first levers 84, 94 and commandable for activating the rotation of the latter. Each actuator member 70 a or 70 b can comprise for example a motor fit on the respective first lever coinciding with the rotation axis (A1, A2).

In a third embodiment of the movement device 69 illustrated in FIGS. 12-13D, the latter comprises an actuator 96 engaged with the frame 3 and configured for rotating a worm screw 97 which is in turn engaged with a lead screw nut 98 (see FIG. 13). The screw 97 is extended orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined trajectory of the upper tool 6. The lead screw nut 98 is constrained to the upper tool 6 by means of a first lever 98 a; said first lever 98 a is constrained by means of a flat hinge at one end to the lead screw nut 98 and at an opposite end is constrained by means of a respective flat hinge to the upper tool 6. The actuator 96, in addition to being engaged with the frame 3, is motion connected by means of a second lever 98 b to the first lever 98 a; in particular, the second lever 98 b is constrained at one end to the actuator 96 by means of a flat hinge and at the opposite end is engaged by means of a flat hinge with an intermediate point of the first rod 98 a interposed between the ends of the latter.

In more detail, the actuator 96 and the screw 97 are engaged with each other by means of a constraint of carriage type, like the lead screw nut 98 with the screw 97. The diagram of the movement device 69, in its third embodiment, is reported in FIG. 14. Actuator 96, screw 97, lead screw nut 98, together with the first and second lever 98 a, 98 b are configured for allowing the movement of the upper tool 6 in approaching and moving away from the plate 74 and lower tool 2, as will be better described hereinbelow.

The movement device 69, in its third embodiment, further comprises a guiding member 99 engaged on one side with the frame 3 or with the actuator 96 and on the other side with the upper tool 6; the guiding member 99 is configured for preventing oscillations of the upper tool 6 around an axis defined by the point in which the first lever 97 is hinged to the upper tool 6. The guiding member 99 can for example a first and a second lever 99 a, 99 b hinged to each other and constrained by means of flat hinges to the actuator and to the upper tool 6: said flat hinges of the guiding device 99 are placed orthogonal with respect to the flat hinges which constrain the first and the second lever 98 a and 98 b so as to prevent undesired oscillations of the upper tool 6.

The movement device 69 further comprises an actuator 70 configured for allowing the rotation (e.g. by 90°) of the upper tool 6 so as to allow the latter to pass from a position in which it faces the plate 74 to a position in which it faces the lower tool 2. The actuator 70 can be stably fixed to the actuator 69 active on the screw 97 or stably fixed to the lead screw nut 98.

Hereinbelow, the movement device 69 will be briefly described during the passage of the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position. Starting from the configuration in which the upper tool 6 faces and is spaced from the plate 74, screw 97 and lead screw nut 98 are spaced from each other in a manner such that the levers 98 a and 98 b are arranged in a grouped condition in which the upper tool is brought close to the actuator 96, to the screw 97 and to the lead screw nut 98. Then, the actuator 96 is actuated in a manner such to allow the approaching of the lead screw nut to the actuator 96 with the consequent spacing of the upper tool 6 from the screw-lead screw nut group; in this manner, it is possible to bring the upper tool close to the plate 74 for gripping the film 5 a in order to define said first position of the upper tool (FIG. 13A). Then, the actuator 96 is newly actuated for newly spacing the screw from the lead screw nut and consequently spacing the upper tool from the plate 74 (FIG. 13B).

Subsequently, the actuator 70 is activated in order to allow the rotation of the upper tool (e.g. by 90°) in order to bring the latter in a position in which it faces the lower tool 2 (FIG. 13C). Then, the actuator 96 is actuated in a manner such to allow moving the lead screw nut 98 close to the actuator 96 with the consequent spacing of the upper tool 6 from the screw-lead screw nut group; in this manner, it is possible to bring the upper tool 6 close to the lower tool 2 for the engagement of the film 5 a with the support 4 in order to define said second position of the upper tool (FIG. 13D). Then, the actuator 96 is newly actuated for newly spacing the screw 97 from the lead screw nut 98 and consequently spacing the upper tool 6 from the lower tool 2. Subsequently, the actuator 70 is activated in order to allow the rotation of the upper tool 6 (e.g. by 90°) in order to bring the latter into the position in which the latter faces, and is spaced from, the plate 74. During such steps, the upper tool 6 is moved from the first to the second position along said predetermined trajectory lying, in use conditions of the apparatus, along a vertical plane.

In a fourth embodiment of the movement device 69 illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, the latter comprises a bar 110 hinged to the frame 3, on which a first actuator 111 is fit which is stably fixed to the frame 3 and configured for rotating said bar 110. Said bar 110 is connected to the upper tool 6 by means of a lever system 112 comprising a first lever 113 hinged on one side to the bar 110, by means of a flat hinge 113 a, and on the other side hinged, by means of a respective flat hinge 113 b, to a second actuator 114; the lever system 112 further comprises a second lever 115 hinged on one side, by means of a flat hinge 115 a, to the second actuator 114, and on the other side hinged by means of a flat hinge 115 b to the upper tool 6.

The second actuator 114 is configured for rotating the first and the second lever 113, 115 and moving them between an extended condition in which said levers define an obtuse angle and a grouped condition in which said levers define an acute angle. In the extended condition, the lever system 112 is configured for spacing the upper tool 6 from the bar 110; in the grouped condition the lever system 112 is configured for bringing the upper tool 6 close to the bar 110.

The movement device 69, in its fourth embodiment, further comprises a guiding member 116 engaged on one side with the frame 3 and on the other side with the bar 110; the guiding member 116 is configured for preventing oscillations of the upper tool 6 around an axis defined by the point in which the second lever 115 is hinged to the upper tool 6. The guiding member 116 can for example comprise a first and a second lever 116 a, 116 b hinged to each other and constrained by means of flat hinges to the bar and to the upper tool 6: said flat hinges of the guiding device 116 are placed orthogonal with respect to the flat hinges of the lever system 112.

Briefly described hereinbelow is the movement device 69 during the passage of the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position. Starting from the configuration in which the upper tool 6 faces and is spaced from the plate 74, the first and the second levers of the lever system 112 are placed in the grouped condition. Then, the second actuator 114 is actuated in a manner such to arrange the first and the second lever 113, 115 in the extended condition with the consequent spacing of the upper tool 6 from the bar 110; in this manner, it is possible to bring the upper tool 6 close to the plate 74 for gripping the film 5 a in order to define the first position of the upper tool 6 (FIG. 16A). Then, the second actuator 115 is newly actuated for arranging the first and the second lever 113, 115 in the grouped condition with consequent spacing of the upper tool 6 (bearing the film 5 a) from the plate 74 (FIG. 16B). Subsequently, the first actuator 111 is activated in order to allow the rotation of the upper tool (e.g. by 90°) in order to bring the latter into a position in which it faces the lower tool 2 (FIG. 16C); the rotation of the upper tool occurs around the bars 110 along an axis orthogonal to the lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool 6. Then, the second actuator 114 is actuated in a manner such to arrange the first and the second lever 113, 115 in the extended condition with the consequent spacing of the upper tool 6 from the bar 110; in this manner, it is possible to move the upper tool 6 close to the lower tool 2 for engaging the film 5 a with the support 4 in order to define said second position of the upper tool 6. Then, the second actuator 114 is newly actuated for newly arranging the first and the second lever in the grouped condition and consequently spacing the upper tool 6 from the lower tool 2. Subsequently, the first actuator 111 is activated in order to allow the rotation of the upper tool 6 (e.g. by 90°) in order to bring the latter into the starting position in which the latter faces, and is spaced from, the plate 74. During such steps, the upper tool 6 is moved from the first to the second position along said predetermined trajectory lying, in use conditions of the apparatus, along said vertical plane.

As mentioned above, the lower tool 2 is movable relative to the frame 3 at least between a respective packaging position in which the lower tool 2 is aligned with the upper tool 6, and a respective loading position, spaced from the packaging position, in which the lower tool 2 is configured for receiving said support 4. The movement device 69 (in any one of its embodiments) can comprise a synchronizing kinematic system 75 which mechanically interconnects the lower tool 2 with the upper tool 6 for synchronizing the passage of the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position with the passage of the lower tool 2 from the loading position to the packaging position. In this manner, when the lower tool 2 is in loading position, the upper tool 6 is situated in the first position for picking up the film portion 5 a, while when the lower tool 2 is in packaging position, the upper tool 6 is situated in the second position for engaging said film portion 5 a with the at least one support 4 housed by the lower tool 2 and hence making the at least one package 40. The synchronizing kinematic system 75 can for example comprise a lever system connected with the driving member 71 and capable of transforming the rotary motion of the driving member 71 into a motion, e.g. to-and-fro translational, of the lower tool 2. For such purpose, the apparatus 1 can also comprise a guiding device for moving the lower tool 2 from the loading position to the packaging position according to a rectilinear trajectory, optionally horizontal rectilinear. The movement device 69, due to the synchronizing kinematic system 75, can drive the movement of the upper tool 6 from the first position to the second position and synchronously move the lower tool 2 from the loading position to the packaging position. Analogously, the movement device 69 can, due to the synchronizing kinematic system 75, drive the movement of the upper tool 6 from the second position to the first position and synchronously move the lower tool 2 from the packaging position to the loading position. Such movements are in particular activated due to the actuator which generates the rotation of the upper tool 6 from the position in which it faces the plate 74 to the position in which it faces the lower tool 2, and vice versa.

Alternatively, the movements of the upper and lower tools can be independent; for example, the movement device 69 can be moved by means of one or more actuator members while the lower tool 2 can be movable to-and-fro by means of a different actuator member (e.g. a hydraulic actuator or an electric motor). In the case of independent movements of the upper and lower tools, the members that manage the movements of the tools are synchronized with each other so as to simultaneously define the first position of the upper tool 6 and the loading position of the lower tool 2, and furthermore the second position of the upper tool 6 and the packaging position of the lower tool 2, in which the upper tool 6 faces the lower tool 2.

In an optional embodiment, the trajectory defined by any one point of the active surface 6 a, during the movement thereof from the first to the second position of the upper tool 6, can be substantially obtained by eliminating the abovementioned kinematic chains in the various embodiments of the device 69 and substituting them with one or more actuators. For example, the upper tool 6 can be moved by means of a single driving member having one end constrained via rotation around the first axis A, in which said single driving member comprises an actuator configured for varying the length thereof during the movement of the upper tool from the first to the second position.

As described above, the apparatus 1 can comprise a feeding station 5 which is set to supply the film 5 a in the form of a continuous strip; the apparatus 1 can then comprise a cutting unit 76 placed transverse to the film 5 and borne by the frame 3 or by the upper tool 6; the cutting unit 76 is active on the film 5 b coming from the supplying station 5. The cutting unit comprises a blade 76 a configured for being transversely arranged with respect to an advancing direction of film coming from the supplying station 5: the blade 76 a is movable in a to-and-fro manner transverse to the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 when in pick-up position, by means of one or more actuators e.g. of pneumatic or oil-pressure type.

The film 5 a can be made of plastic material; as mentioned above, the upper tool 6 can comprise a sealing head configured for heating at least one part of said active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 for heat-sealing the film portion 5 a to the support 4 in order to define a hermetically closed package. The same upper tool 6 can be further provided with means for holding the film portion 5 a at the active surface 6 a; said holding means can comprise one or more of: at least one vacuum source connected with suction openings present on the active surface 6 a, one or more mechanical retainers associated with the active surface 6 a, one or more adhesive portions associated with the active surface 6 a, at least one electric circuit electrically connected with the active surface 6 a in order to charge such surface with a predetermined polarity.

The lower tool 2 and the upper tool 6 can be configured for defining—in an approached position—a chamber in which the support 4 bearing the product P and said film portion 5 a is housed; the packaging apparatus 1 can further comprise at least one between:

-   -   a suctioning system fluidically communicating with said chamber,         said suctioning system being configured for removing air from         the interior of the chamber in order to define a pressure lower         than the atmospheric pressure inside the same. In such         configuration the apparatus 1 is capable of making vacuum         packages, also termed packages of skin type;     -   a blowing system fluidically communicating with said chamber and         configured for introducing gas within the latter in order to         define a modified atmosphere environment inside the same. In         such configuration, the apparatus 1 is configured for extracting         at least one part of the air present in the chamber and         introducing a gas inside the same so as to be able to make         packages with modified atmosphere.

Packaging Process

Also forming the object of the present invention is a process for packaging products of the type using an apparatus in accordance with any one of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the below-reported detailed description. The process described hereinbelow can use the above-described apparatus 1 and in accordance with one or more of the enclosed claims. The process comprises various steps that can be carried out by a control unit 50 which acts on suitable actuators and/or motors and/or pumps and/or valves in order to attain the various described steps and in particular to determine the movements of movable parts; the control unit 50 can also be employed for controlling the suction and/or the injection of gas in a packaging chamber within which the package 40 is at least partly formed.

The process comprises a step of arranging at least one support 4 on the lower tool 2 placed in the loading position. In FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus 1 is illustrated with the lower tool 2 placed in the loading position: the lower tool 2 is situated outside a virtual bulk defined by the same lower tool 2 when aligned with the upper tool 6 in the packaging position and hence is free to correctly receive the support (FIG. 3). In the enclosed figures, a step is illustrated for arranging/moving an empty support 4: the product P to be packaged is not present on the support 4 (FIG. 1). It is also possible to load, on the lower tool 2, a support 4 bearing the product. It is further possible to load the support 4 without product and proceed with the loading of the product P once the support 4 has been correctly arranged on the lower tool 2.

Following the loading of the support 4, the process provides for the movement of the lower tool 2 from the loading position to the packaging position (packaging position illustrated in FIG. 4).

The process further provides for the positioning of the upper tool 6 at said first position; during such configuration of the upper tool 6 the process provides for feeding the film 5 b in a manner such that the latter can at least partly cover the abutment plate 74; once the film 5 b is placed to cover the plate 74, the upper tool is placed in the first position in a manner such that the film 5 b is interposed between the active surface 6 a of the upper tool 6 and the abutment surface 74 a of the abutment plate 74. Then, by means of the cutting device 76, the film 5 b is cut in order to define the film portion 5 a (discrete element) which is held by the upper tool 6 due to the means 77: the upper tool 6, in the first position, then picks up the film portion 5 a.

Then, the process provides for movement of the upper tool 6 from the first position to the second position in a manner such that the active surface 6 of the upper tool is situated facing the lower tool in the packaging position. It is useful that the movement of the upper tool 6 from the first to the second position can occur simultaneously (synchronized movement) with the movement of the lower tool 2 from the packaging position to the loading position due to the synchronization means: in the packaging position, upper tool and lower tool are aligned with and next to each other.

Once the upper and lower tools face each other, the process provides for moving the tools close together such that the same can define a chamber within which the support bearing the product and the film portion 5 a are arranged. Then the process provides for a step for engaging the film portion 5 a with the support 4 for obtaining at least one package 40 which can comprise a step of hot coupling said film portion 5 a to the support 4 so as to hermetically close the product P within the package 40. The engagement step of the film portion 5 a can comprise the following sub-steps:

-   -   holding said film portion 5 a by means of the upper tool 6, for         example by means of a suctioning system for the air of the same         upper tool, above the respective support 4;     -   optionally heating said film portion 5 a held above the         respective support 4 by means of a heating system, also of the         upper tool. The heating step can be executed for the upper         element 6 during the step of holding the portion 5 a;     -   arranging the lower and upper tools 2, 6 in an approached         position in which the latter define a chamber in which said         support 4 bearing the product P and said film portion 5 a are         housed;     -   hermetically heat-sealing said film portion 5 a to at least one         portion of the support 4 for defining a housing compartment of         the package 40 within which the product P is housed. The         heat-sealing step can be executed by means of the sealing head         of the upper tool 6.

The step of heating the film portion 5 a, if present, can be executed both during a spaced position (FIG. 3) for the lower and upper tools and during the approached position (FIG. 4).

The process can also provide for a step of removing at least part of the air within said chamber defined by the lower and upper tools so as to remove the air present in a volume defined by the support 4 in cooperation with the film closure portion 5 a, so as to make a vacuum package 40. The air removal step can be executed before the fixing of the film portion to the support 4 or following the sealing of the portion 5 a.

The process can alternatively comprise a step for removing air from the package and simultaneous insertion of a gas for defining a package 40 with modified atmosphere.

Following the definition of the package 40, the lower and upper tools are arranged in the spaced position and in particular respectively brought back into the loading position and into the first position; during such movement of the tools, the package 40 is unloaded from the lower tool 2. FIG. 1 illustrates, in a non-limiting manner, a process step that provides for unloading the package on an outlet conveyor 20. 

1. An apparatus for packaging at least one product arranged on a support, said packaging apparatus comprising: a supporting frame, a supplying station of a film borne by said frame and configured to arrange at least one portion of said film at a predetermined pick-up position, at least one lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, at least one upper tool engaged with the frame and cooperating with the lower tool to engage said film portion with at least one support and making at least one package, a movement device interposed between the frame and the upper tool, wherein the movement device is configured to move the upper tool between: a first position, wherein an active surface of the upper tool is next to the film portion in said predetermined pick-up position and is suitable to receive the same film portion from the supplying station, and a second position, wherein the active surface of the upper tool is aligned with and next to the lower tool to engage said film portion with at least one support and making at least one package, wherein the movement device is configured to move the upper tool between the first and the second position along a predetermined trajectory lying, in use condition of the apparatus, along a vertical plane.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement device comprises: a driving member configured to rotate around a first rotation axis orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool; and a driven member having one terminal portion hinged to the driving member and a second terminal portion fixed to the upper tool, a first flat hinge constrained to the frame, wherein the driving member is engaged with the first flat hinge to rotate around the first rotation axis; a second flat hinge, wherein the driven member has: a first terminal portion, hinged to the driving member by said second flat hinge interposed between driven member and driving member, and a second terminal portion, fixed to the upper tool; a guiding member engaged via rotation around a second rotation axis parallel to said first rotation axis, said guiding member configured to slidably receive a third portion of the driven member intermediate between said first and said second terminal portion of the same driven member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the driving member has the shape of a rod whose opposite ends are respectively engaged with the first and with the second flat hinge, the driven member has the shape of a rod having opposite ends respectively engaged with the second flat hinge and with the upper tool, the guiding member is a sleeve rotatable with respect to the frame, the interior thereof slidably receiving an intermediate portion of said driven member. 5.-6. (canceled)
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator member active on the movement device and capable of selectively moving the upper tool from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the actuator member is active on the driving member and commands the driving member in rotation around said first rotation axis.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement device comprises a first and a second flat kinematic chain both engaged, on one side, with the frame and, on the other side, with the upper tool, wherein said first and second flat kinematic chain are separate and spaced from each other with respect to an axis that is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first flat kinematic chain comprises: a first lever configured to rotate around a first rotation axis orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool; a second lever having a terminal portion hinged to the first lever and a second terminal portion hinged to the upper tool; wherein said second flat kinematic chain comprises: a respective first lever configured to rotate around a second rotation axis orthogonal to the vertical lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool; a respective second lever having a terminal portion hinged to the first lever of the second kinematic chain and a second terminal portion hinged to the upper tool.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the first kinematic chain of the movement device comprises: a first flat hinge constrained to the frame, wherein the first lever of the first flat kinematic chain is engaged with the first flat hinge for to rotate around the first rotation axis; a second flat hinge, wherein the second lever of the first flat kinematic chain has: a first terminal portion, hinged to the first lever by means of said second flat hinge interposed between first and second lever, and a second terminal portion, constrained to the upper tool by means of a third flat hinge; and the second kinematic chain of the movement device comprises: a first flat hinge constrained to the frame, wherein the first lever of the second flat kinematic chain is engaged with said first flat hinge (93 a) to rotate around the second rotation axis; a second flat hinge, wherein the second lever of the second flat kinematic chain has: a first terminal portion, hinged to said first lever by means of said second flat hinge interposed between first and second lever of the second flat kinematic chain, and a second terminal portion, constrained to the upper tool by means of a third flat hinge.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first rotation axis of the first flat kinematic chain coincides with the second rotation axis of the second flat kinematic chain.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of: the first and the second kinematic chain are arranged, with respect to the upper tool, symmetric to each other with respect to a plane passing through the first and second rotation axis and placed orthogonally with respect to the lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool; the second lever of the first kinematic chain is hinged to an upper portion of the upper tool while the second lever of the second flat kinematic chain is hinged to a lower portion of the upper tool opposite said upper portion; and the movement device comprises a first actuator member fit on the first lever of the first kinematic chain and configured to rotate said first lever around said first axis, and wherein the movement device comprises a second actuator member fit on the first lever of the second kinematic chain and configured to rotate said first lever around said second axis, wherein the first and the second actuator member are configured to rotate the respective first levers in opposite sense in order to allow a rotation of the upper tool around said first and second rotation axis, wherein the first and the second actuator member are configured to rotate the respective first levers in the same sense in order to allow a translation of the upper tool approaching to and moving away from said first and second rotation axis. 16.-17. (canceled)
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the movement device comprises a guiding member engaged in interposition between the upper tool and the frame, said guiding member being configured for preventing oscillation of the upper tool around the flat hinges at which said upper tool is engaged with the second levers of the first and second flat kinematic chain; and the guiding member comprises a respective first and second lever constrained to each other by means of a flat hinge, wherein the first lever of the guiding member is also constrained to the frame by means of a further flat hinge while the second lever is constrained to the upper tool by means of a further flat hinge, wherein the flat hinges of the guiding member are placed transverse to the flat hinges of the first and second flat kinematic chain.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement device comprises: a screw hinged to the frame, a first actuator engaged with the frame and active on the screw, the first actuator being configured to rotate the screw, a lead screw nut it too engaged via rotation with the screw, a first lever engaged, at one end, with the lead screw nut by a flat hinge and, at the opposite end engaged by means of a flat hinge with the upper tool, a second lever engaged, at one end, with the first actuator by means of a flat hinge and, at the opposite end engaged by a flat hinge with an intermediate point of said first lever, wherein the first actuator is configured to rotate the screw in order to allow the lead screw nut to approach and move away from the first actuator to define at least: a grouped condition of said first and second lever wherein the upper tool is approached to the screw, an extended condition of said first and second lever wherein the upper tool is spaced from the screw, wherein the upper tool, in the extended condition, is placed at a distance from the screw greater than a distance present between upper tool and screw in the grouped condition. 21.-24. (canceled)
 25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement device comprises: a rod hinged to the frame and extended along a direction orthogonal to the lying plane of the predetermined movement trajectory of the upper tool, a first lever engaged, at one end, with the rod by a flat hinge, a motor engaged with the first lever by a flat hinge, said motor being hinged to the first lever at an end opposite to the end at which said first lever is hinged to the rod, a second lever engaged, at one end, with the rod by a flat hinge and, at the opposite end, engaged with the upper tool by a flat hinge, wherein said first and second lever are configured to define at least: one grouped condition wherein the upper tool is brought close to the rod, one extended condition wherein the upper tool is spaced from the rod, wherein the upper tool, in the extended condition, is placed at a distance from the rod greater than a distance present between upper tool and rod in the grouped condition. wherein said motor is active on said first and second lever to command the grouped condition and the extended condition. 26.-29. (canceled)
 30. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a single upper tool movable along the same trajectory, in use condition of the apparatus lying along a vertical plane, at least between: the first and the second position in order to define an outward stroke of the upper tool; the second and the first position in order to define a return stroke of the upper tool.
 31. (canceled)
 32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supplying station of the plastic film comprises an abutment plate configured to define an abutment surface of the portion of said film at the predetermined pick-up position, wherein the abutment surface of the abutment plate is substantially flat and arranged on a vertical plane.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the movement device is configured so that: when the upper tool is in said first position, the active surface of the upper tool is arranged, in use conditions of the apparatus, according to a vertical plane parallel to the abutment surface of the abutment plate; when the upper tool is in said second position, the active surface of the upper tool is arranged, in use conditions of the apparatus, according to a horizontal plane.
 34. (canceled)
 35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower tool is movable relative to the frame at least between: a packaging position in which the lower tool is aligned with the upper tool, a loading position, spaced from the packaging position, in which the lower tool is configured to receive said support. 36.-38. (canceled)
 39. A method for packaging at least one product the packaging apparatus of claim 1, said method comprising: arranging at least one support supporting at least one product on the lower tool placed in the loading position, moving the lower tool from the loading position to the packaging position, positioning the upper tool at said first position, picking up, with said upper tool in said first position, the film portion from the supplying station, moving, by the movement device, the upper tool from the first position to the second position, moving the lower tool from the loading position to the packaging position such that upper tool, in the second position, is aligned with and next to the lower tool, engaging said film portion with the support for obtaining at least one package.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the moving of the upper tool from the first position to the second position and the moving of the lower tool from the loading position to the packaging position are synchronized with each other.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the engaging of the film portion with the support comprises: holding said film portion by the upper tool above the respective support, heating said film portion held above the respective support, hermetically heat-sealing said film portion to at least one portion of the support for defining a housing compartment of the package within which the product is housed. 